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Letters Patent No. 61,129, dated January 8, 1867. v

n IMPROVEMENT IN- FRUIT STEP-LADDERS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT WAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. WINcnELL, of Springfield, in the county of Clark, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Ladders; and I do hereby declare that the following is arfull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon-likeletters indicating like parts wherever-'they-occur` Figure l is a side view.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same extended; and

Figure 3 is a view of one of the hinges.

My intention consists in constructing a ladder of two parts, hinged together, in such a manner that it can be used as a step or fruit ladder, and can be extended so as to be used as an ordinary farm-ladder.

I first construct the part A with steps, a, like an ordinary step-ladder. To one of the side bars near the top is secured a semicircular piece, C, as shown in fig. 1. I then construct an ordinary ladder, B, provided with rounds This ladder B I tlxen pivot at the centre of the ciiculaipiecc Cto the other part A, as shown in fig. 1, o being the pivot on which it turns. In order to secure -it firmly, I use a metal hinge, D,.tl1e form of which is shown in fig. 3. This hinge, embracing the bars of A, and projecting out; far enough to form the bearings for the pivot o,las shown in fig. 1. The upper end of the side bars of the ladder B are formed in a circle, and so pivoted that said ends shall rest against the bars of A, as indicated by the dotted lines in iig. 1, vthereby in a measure relieving the pivots o of strain. A series of holes, c, is made at various points in the piece C, to receive a pin, b, which is inserted through a hole in the bars of B, by which the parts A and B are held in position when adjusted at any desired vangle, as represented in iig. 1. By these means the ladder B is made to serve as the ordinary brace to support the part A, the two thus forming a perfect step-ladder, capable of being adjusted at various angles, as desired, and securely locked when adjusted. When itis desired to use it as an ordinary farmladder, the pin l: is withdrawn and the part B is'turned up,ias shown in fig. 2, and secured by inserting the pin b in'another hole, c, provided for the purpose. The metal straps or hinges D hold it secure, and the part B resting firmly against the rear faceof the bars of A renders the" whole as rigid as though made of a single part. By these means I am enabled to convert the step-ladder into an ordinary farm-ladder, of double the length of the step-ladder, thus adapting itv to use for all the ordinary purposes of a step or fruit-ladder, and also of an ordinary farm-ladder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, is,

1. The combination of ladders A and B, when constructed and arranged to operate substantially as shown and described. 4

2. The circularbrace C,when arranged as shown, for locking the part B in position.

3. I claim pivoting the ladder B, by means of the hinge D, made to embrace the bars of A, as shown and described.

JAMES F. WINCHELL. Witnesses:

W. C. Dones. C. H. KELLER. 

